Tafsir of Al-Isra 17:41

"And We have certainly diversified..." The term tasrif (diversification) refers to the frequent shifting of a thing from one state to another. Its object here is omitted because it is understood—that is, We have diversified it, meaning this subject matter; We have expressed it in various phrases and established it with various forms of proof.

"...in this Quran..." the Magnificent; meaning, in various places within it. The intent behind "the Quran" is the entirety of the revelation. It is also possible that what is meant is the portion that contains the invalidation of attributing daughters to Him, Glory be to Him. In this case, the object of "diversified" is likewise omitted—meaning, We have diversified the discourse containing the invalidation of the aforementioned attribution.

Assigning the Quran to the subject matter and making it a container for the discourse is either by applying the name of the place to what is contained within it—since it is well-known that "words are the molds of meanings"—or the reverse, as one might say, "Such-and-such chapter is on such-and-such," or "This verse is on the prohibition of such-and-such," meaning in its explanation. It is also permissible to treat the verb as an intransitive one and make it transitive via the preposition fi (in), as in the poet's saying: "...he strikes at their hocks, we shoot..." meaning, We have enacted the diversification within it. It has also been recited as sarafna (without the tashdid), and simple sarf is like tasrif, except without the connotation of frequency.

"...that they might take heed..." meaning, that they might remember, be admonished, and find reassurance in it, for repetition necessitates compliance and the assurance of the soul.

"...and it increases them..."—that is, this diversification—"...not except in aversion..." from the truth, and turning away from it, which is an inversion of the intended result.

Hamza and al-Kisa'i recited it here and in [Surah] al-Furqan as li-yadhkkuru (that they might remember) from the root dhikr, which means remembering as the opposite of forgetting and heedlessness. Whereas tadhakkur (taking heed) in the first reading refers to being admonished, as has been indicated. The shift to the third person [in "increases them"] is to signal that the situation requires turning away from them and narrating their follies to the listeners.